Nookat

Nookat lies about 50 kilometres southwest of Osh in the southern Fergana Valley at around 1100 metres above sea level and has roughly 25,000 inhabitants. The surrounding region is one of Kyrgyzstan's most fertile horticultural districts, especially famous for juicy Nookat apricots, deep-red cherries, quinces and sweet grapes, which during the summer months are trucked directly over the mountains to Bishkek and even as far as Almaty. The town's former name, Eski-Nookat, literally meaning Old Nookat, recalls a predecessor settlement that already enjoyed market town status under the Kokand Khanate. The present population is mostly Kyrgyz and Uzbek, alongside smaller communities of Tajiks, Turks and Russians. Several healing hot springs bubble up in the nearby mountains, attracting a growing number of wellness tourists.

Nearby cities

Uzgen

A historic city in the Fergana Valley, which was once a capital of the Karakhanid Empire.

Kara-Suu

A border city near Osh, separated directly from the Uzbek city of Qorasuv by a canal.

Sary-Mogol

A high-altitude village in the Alay Valley, serving as the primary base camp for expeditions to Peak Lenin.

Tulpar-Kol Lake

A stunning high-altitude lake at the foot of Lenin Peak, famous for its deep blue waters and the Pamir mountain panorama.

History & landmarks

Uzgen Minaret

An excellently preserved 11th-century brick tower in the ancient Karakhanid city of Uzgen.

Nature

Kara Darya

The Kara Darya flows through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan, forming green oases in the mountain valleys.

More places

Kyrgyz Ata National Park

This picturesque national park protects extensive juniper forests on the slopes of the Alai Mountains.

Alai Mountains

The Alai Mountains in the south of the country form a massive natural barrier with jagged peaks.

Kara-Suu Bazaar

Important market in the Fergana Valley, near the border with Uzbekistan.

Alay Valley

A broad, high-altitude valley between the Alay Mountains and the Trans-Alay Range in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Lenin Peak

One of the highest mountains in the Pamir range on the border with Tajikistan, frequently visited by mountaineers.

Lenin Peak

Lenin Peak in the Pamir Mountains is a popular summit for mountaineers attempting the 7000-meter mark.

Alay Mountains

A mountain range extending from the Pamir-Alay system, bordering the Fergana Valley to the south.

Uzgen Rice Fields

The area around the historic city of Uzgen is famous for the cultivation of a special type of rice called red rice.